inventive

adjective

in·​ven·​tive in-ˈven-tiv 

1

: adept or prolific at producing inventions : creative

an inventive mind

2

: characterized by invention

an inventive method

inventively adverb

inventiveness noun

Synonyms of inventive

• innovative
• imaginative
• creative
• clever

Examples of inventive in a Sentence

They have given their new company an inventive name.

inventive ways to use leftovers

Recent Examples on the Web

Sant’ Angelo, an avant garde designer, was best known for his bohemian styles and inventive knitwear. —Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 23 Jan. 2026

Filmmakers from across the West African country and its sprawling diaspora have been cropping up across the international festival circuit in recent years, dazzling audiences with a unique cinema culture that is political and inventive yet accessible. —Zac Ntim, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2026

The creative response includes satire, slogans, signs, cultural heritage symbols and inventive protest clothing. —R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026

George Merrick came up with many inventive ways to attract prospective buyers and tourists to his dream city of Coral Gables during the 1920s. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 21 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for inventive

• agentive
• attentive
• incentive
• preventive
• retentive
• disincentive
• inattentive

Kids Definition

inventive

adjective

in·​ven·​tive in-ˈvent-iv 

: gifted with the skill and imagination to invent

inventively adverb

inventiveness noun